Officers Should Be Paid What They’re Worth

10 February 2025

Police forces will struggle to recruit and retain good officers unless they are paid properly, the Chair of Cleveland Police Federation has said.

In its recent submission to the Police Remuneration Review Body (PRRB), The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) recommended an annual pay uplift of 3.8% for officers from September 2025. Meanwhile, staff associations for chief officers, Superintendents and Chief Superintendents have recommended a higher pay uplift of 4.8%.

The NPCC is also asking the Police Remuneration Review Body and the Government to raise the starting salary for PCs and review pay scales to match skills and experience.

Paul Crowley, Chair of Cleveland Police Federation, said: “A significant pay rise for officers is crucial for many reasons. I 100% agree that the starting salary needs to be increased. The Government wants to recruit the best people we can possibly get, and unfortunately the starting salary is not commensurate with that standard.

“If potential candidates are working in the private sector, for example, it is likely they’re earning considerably more than the starting salary of a police officer. Because of this, the starting pay needs to be increased, simply so that we can attract the right people for our communities.

“On top of that, we also need a large pay increase across the board, because if you look at how pay has been degraded since 2009, it is now around 21% below where it should be compared to the rate of interest.”

Forces currently have problems not just with recruitment, but with retention as well, Paul said: “It may not come as a surprise, but a lot of good police officers are exploring their options in the private sector, simply because they know they’re going to be able to be paid what they’re worth. Now the government has eroded any lure of police pensions, to make up for this, we need officers to be paid an amount that reflects their experience and what they sacrifice for our communities..

“Great police officers not only have the experience and the knowledge of policing, but they also know the needs of their community inside out. If we lose them, the public loses and criminality is allowed to thrive.”